Summerland

Okanagan episode of Amazing Race Canada to air next week
SUMMERLAND – Fans of the Amazing Race Canada will see some familiar sights next week. The Summerland area will be featured in Wednesday’s episode of the hit CTV show where pairs of Canadians race around the world hoping to be the first to reach the final destination and claim the $250,000 prize. Contestants will be...

Heat wave could force water restrictions in Summerland
SUMMERLAND – If the heat wave resumes the Summerland Treatment Plant could be forced to issue measures to reduce water use in the area. Due to increased demands the Summerland Water Treatment Plant has been operating at maximum capacity the last week, according to a media release issued today, June 29. If the demand rises...

Fire risk closes Giant’s Head Mountain Park to vehicle traffic
SUMMERLAND - Because of the high risk of person-caused fires, Giant’s Head Mountain Park Road is closed to vehicle traffic. The closure is effective immediately due to dry vegetation along the roadside. The fire danger rating is currently high but is expected to reach extreme in the next couple of days. “We have moved to...

Summerland power outage to last until at least 2 p.m.
SUMMERLAND - A power outage has been affecting the majority of Summerland residents since earlier this morning and Fortis B.C. says it will be at least 2 p.m. before power is restored. Fortis B.C. says crews are busy on site and were inspecting a problem with a transformer on the feed to the city. Interior...

Beading a path through the Okanagan
PENTICTON - An Okanagan artist and entrepreneur turned a daydream into a unique business opportunity which continues to grow with each new tourist season. Karen Griggs was looking for a way to make a living while following her passion when she came up with the idea of the Bead Trail. According to her blog, a...

Cannabis oil stopped her seizures, now family trying to help others
SUMMERLAND – The family of a young girl from Summerland say her only relief from debilitating seizures has come from an oil derived from marijuana, and they are holding a fundraiser to help other families in the same situation. Kyla Williams, 3, has a rare form of epilepsy that causes her as many as 300...

Amazing Race Canada returns to the Okanagan
PENTICTON - The Summerland area is about to get some nationwide publicity thanks to a popular national TV show that just finished taping in the area. The Amazing Race Canada recently wrapped up a shoot in the South Okanagan with a segment that is expected to air sometime in July. The Summerland Waterfront Resort was...

Two Okanagan wind farms get green light
OKANAGAN – The first wind farms ever built in the Okanagan will be producing electricity by 2016. Agreements between B.C. Hydro and Zero Emission Energy Development have been inked for wind farms west of Summerland and west of Kelowna, according to a media release from the B.C. Liberal caucus. The White Rock-based company will be...

Summerland man enters guilty plea
PENTICTON - A Summerland man has pleaded guilty to a criminal charge stemming from an inappropriate relationship with a minor. Joshua J. Roberts entered the plea to sexual exploitation from a relationship with a 17-year-old girl that lasted for almost a year. Roberts originally faced five counts from what was described as a consensual relationship...

Okanagan company behind genetically modified apple sold to American firm
SUMMERLAND – Just a couple weeks after getting approval to sell two of it’s controversial apples in the U.S., Okanagan Specialty Fruits has been sold to a synthetic biology company in the States. Interxon is paying about $41-million in stock and cash for the Summerland company that created an apple genetically engineered not to turn...

Summerland woman putting the pedal to the metal at ARCA racing event
SUMMERLAND - A Summerland woman is getting ready for the ride of her life as she prepares for an Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) race at Daytona. Sarah Cornett-Ching has been driving for half her life — and she’s only 24. She began her racing career at Penticton Speedway, where she first got behind the...

B.C. Hydro to conduct study on secondary power line to West Kelowna
WEST KELOWNA – District of West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater says last night’s line failure that cut power to thousands of homes for nine hours would have been very serious if it happened just one month from now. The failure was caused by a fire that started atop one of hundreds of poles supporting West...

IH secures enough flu vaccine to open postponed clinics
OKANAGAN - Some flu clinics postponed last week have been rescheduled now that Interior Health has secured enough vaccine. An additional 10,000 doses of influenza vaccine means IH can open their doors for public flu clinics starting next week. There are multiple options for those seeking the jab. Kelowna – The December 15 public drop-in...

Free flu clinic postponed due to high demand
SUMMERLAND - Don't roll up your sleeve just yet — a public flu clinic in Summerland will be rescheduled because demand is exceeding supply. Public flu clinics at St. John's Lutheran Church Dec. 4 has been postponed, but a new date and location will not be chosen until additional vaccine is ordered, according to a...

RCMP officers honoured for going above and beyond
WEST KELOWNA – In between the traffic stops and routine patrols, RCMP officers are sometimes called on to risk their lives to serve the public. Officers from West Kelowna, Lake Country, Kamloops, Salmon Arm and Summerland were recently recognized for their bravery at the Police Honours Night in Victoria hosted by Governor General Judith Guichon....